New Year's Day Arizona Style

The weather has been so beautiful here! I love when it is just cool enough for a light jacket, but then warms up enough to take it off in the afternoon. Anyway, New Year's day was like that, so we took advantage and drove out to Scottsdale to this beautiful bike trail. The girls rode in the bike carrier, but Ethan kept up on his own bike. He did awesome- not that I'm surprised, but it still impresses me. This was a perfect way to get 2009 started!
This is Maci saying "Cheeee-se!"FYI: Ethan got a haircut after I saw this picture, he has the best cowlick in the front of his head, but with added bed-head it makes for some really bad hair days. Good thing he's so darn handsome anyways.

Christmas at the McEuen's

We Started with the
Christmas Program for preschool...

Then we were ready for our very own McEuen program on
Christmas Eve at Aunt Nikki's...

After that, we went to Aunt Leslie's for a wonderful Christmas Dinner and Gift Exchange but didn't get any pictures. (Darn it.)

Finally,Christmas Morning...Ethan got Bakugan, a Nerf (mega) gun and new video games. Licity got the Diamond Castle Barbie, Carriage and Castle.Maci got a phone a purse and a Barbie car with a new barbie.

Kyle and I got a promise for extra chores from Ethan and lots of hugs and kisses from the girls. After dumping all the candy from the stocking, Licity found the apple at the bottom... she's the best eater!

These KettCars we got as a hand-me-down from Kyle's boss... just in time to stick a bow on them and take all the credit! The kids LOVE them!

And then, Christmas Dinner at "G" and "Pop's" house...

It was certainly a Magical Christmas at our house this year! Ethan's expressions were just what we were hoping for. We may have spoiled the kids a little too much and set the expectations a little too high for next year, but this year was perfect!

Christmas is a time for...

A visit to Santa...An attempt at a family picture...Getting a nap wherever you can...And not sending out this year's Christmas Cards...

(Maybe next year.) MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Love, The McEuen's

Mmm...Pie!

It just wouldn't be a great Thanksgiving without pie for breakfast the next day.

So yes, it was a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent the day with Kyle's parents and the kids were spoiled. Ethan started with going shooting with his daddy and "Pop" in the desert. We squeezed in a super yummy Thanksgiving feast prepared almost entirely by my very talented mother-in-law and also included a Lucky Charm appetizer for the kids. Then it was back to the desert for more shooting (but this time Lisie joined the boys, pig-tails and all).

The next day was spent at this awesome park that the cousins met up at. They had these great bike "ramps" that even Kyle and I had a blast on!

We went back for more the next day (and I'm sure it won't be the last time).

Aunt Leslie's House

Now that I've been on Facebook and have reunited with so many of the Rees cousin back in St. Louis, I've had a flood of childhood memories. Some of my favorites are the times we spent meeting with all of the cousins at my Grandma Rees' on Sunday afternoon. Now that I have my own kids I love that they will have similar memories, both at their Grandma McEuen (G's house) and since my parents aren't available (on a mission in Romania) they also have Aunt Leslie's house. I was reminded of those days when I saw these pictures. My kids LOVE to go to Aunt Leslie's house- I'm not sure if the feelings are mutual, but they keep inviting us back. Thanks Aunt Leslie for the Sunday afternoons that my kids will always remember.

Nick just loves all the attention- can't you tell?

Picture Perfect Sunday

It was a gorgeous overcast day. In Arizona you really appreciate a little cloud coverage. Unfortunately the kids were starving and so we only had time for a couple of shots- it's too bad, we could have actually had our Christmas cards done early for a change.